AI sinks its teeth into the Peach State as Georgia’s largest school districts integrate the tech

Georgia’s largest school districts are implementing artificial intelligence tools across K-12 classrooms, with educators using AI to craft rubrics, design lessons, and create new career pathways despite ongoing concerns about cheating and data privacy. This shift reflects the broader transformation of education as schools navigate the balance between leveraging AI’s potential and maintaining academic integrity while preparing students for an AI-driven workforce.

What you should know: Major Georgia districts including DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are integrating AI both as a standalone subject and as a learning aid across traditional subjects.

• Fulton County uses Edia, an AI-powered math platform that provides personalized feedback and instruction in advanced high school classes.
• Gwinnett operates Seckinger High School in Buford, claimed to be the nation’s first “AI-themed high school,” offering a three-course AI career pathway.
• Teachers are using AI for specific purposes like facilitating science fair brainstorming sessions and essay planning rather than open-ended tools.

The tools gaining traction: MagicSchool AI, founded by former KIPP Atlanta teacher Adeel Khan, has emerged as one of the most popular platforms among Georgia educators.

• Nearly 90,000 individual MagicSchool users operate across Georgia, with users in nearly every public district and many private or charter schools in the state.
• The platform helps teachers provide tailored writing feedback and create interactive learning options.
• Fulton County pays $265,000 annually for SchoolAI, another enterprise AI solution that costs $2.95 per license for 90,000 licenses.

Addressing the challenges: Despite implementation, significant concerns persist around academic integrity and student privacy.

• A recent Pew Research survey found one in four teachers believe AI tools could do more harm than good.
• More than seven in 10 teachers haven’t received professional development on using AI in the classroom, according to EdWeek Research Center.
• Districts are responding with more oral exams and check-ins to ensure students understand material independently.

What they’re saying: Education leaders emphasize the calculated approach schools are taking with AI integration.

• “AI is here to stay,” said Lindsay Linsky, a University of North Georgia education professor, noting teachers are taking “calculated risks” as technology evolves faster than policy.
• “Teachers are already stretched for time,” Khan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So, any level of convenience you can offer is really powerful for them.”
• “What our training with teachers is, is that we need to be really thoughtful in our instruction,” said Heather Van Looy, who directs instructional technology for Fulton County.

Privacy protections: Districts and vendors are implementing safeguards to address data security concerns.

• Khan said MagicSchool prevents student data from being used to train AI models, noting “we have to go through these really rigorous procurement processes where they rip apart our privacy policies.”
• Fulton is blocking several AI tools while curating trusted resources that address privacy concerns.
• DeKalb has maintained partnerships with core vendors like Google Classroom and Office 365 “where there’s not data mining” and safety is protected.

Looking ahead: Georgia districts are establishing formal frameworks to guide AI implementation throughout the upcoming academic year.

• Gwinnett is creating a teacher leader cohort to explore responsible AI use and support other educators.
• DeKalb will launch a task force to determine sustainable AI implementation across the school system.
• The Technology Association of Georgia continues promoting computer science education, having already made coding classes an alternative to foreign language requirements in Georgia schools.